SCARRED (10 page)

      Lawson had gotten onto the bed and was lying on his back. His shirt was unbuttoned, exposing the wife beater underneath. Serene straddled his middle and looked down at the same kinds of scars across the top part of his chest that were on his hands. She didn’t comment and simply kissed them gently.

      Lawson pushed her upright and pulled the negligee over her head. He liked the feel of her bare skin, but he equally enjoyed the contrast as he ran his hands down her sides, and then along the stockings on her legs. He suckled each breast and Serene began to move rhythmically on his already hardening cock. She crouched on her feet and hovered over him. She looked him in the eye as she dropped down fast on his full length; quickly coming off her feet and onto her knees. Lawson grabbed her by both hips and slammed into her harder and harder until Serene laid across his chest and whispered for him to slow down.

      He flipped her over and made love to her more gently, moving with her and holding her tightly against his chest as she climaxed. They spent several hours just holding each other without saying a word. Serene fell asleep with tears falling from her eyes because she knew this was what goodbye felt like.

* * * *

      She wasn’t surprised when she awoke the next morning and found the note and rose lying on her pillow. She sat for a long time hugging her knees to her chest just staring at them. She finally reached for them with a shaky hand. The handwriting was the familiar neat script that she had admired since the first time that she had seen it. Serene unfolded the thick paper and began to read.

     
My Dearest Serene,

            You are probably cursing my name right now. Or maybe you are relieved. I know this seems unfair. I feel it’s unfair. I wanted to give you something, Serene, something you had never had, which was a shot at life. With that being said, you will need to see my attorney Mike Reid. I have gifted you some things, and he will help you sort it all out. I have also left a check and car keys in the top drawer of the dresser there in the room with you.

            This has been the happiest time I have had since my wife and I were first married. I do love you, Serene, but I know it wouldn’t be fair to you to be shackled to someone like me for the rest of your life. Eventually you would resent me. Start a new life for yourself. Prosper. Forget me.

      Lawson

      Serene stood slowly and walked to the dresser. She opened the top drawer and found a check lying face down just like he had said. She flipped it over and looked at it with unbelieving eyes. She stumbled backwards and plopped down on the foot of the bed. The check was for one million dollars exactly.

* * * *

      Serene didn’t have anyone to call. The only person she knew to call was Rita.

      Rita sat on the bed patting her back, letting Serene cry it out. Rita liked this young woman, and was sorry this was the circumstance for their first get together. But after two husbands, Rita completely understood heartbreak.

      “I was sure the candles and that negligee would do the trick.”

      “Me…too.” Serene shuddered.

      “But a
million dollars
! He must really love you, or you are Aphrodite in disguise.”

      Serene sat up and blew her nose. “There’s nothing special about me! I don’t want his money!”

      “And why not?”

      Serene looked in the mirror and locked eyes with her new friend. “If it means not having him, then let me be poor forever.”

* * * *

      Serene spent the rest of the day in and out of sleep and tears. Rita came back after her boutique closed and offered her a job.

      “I know you don’t need the money, but you do need the time.” She sat at the small table beside the kitchenette and lit an impossibly long cigarette. Everything Rita did looked polished, even lighting her cigarette. “All I’m saying is give yourself time to think. Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself won’t bring your man back. See the lawyer and decide later.”

      Serene hugged her arms around her middle and stared out of the balcony doors into the city beyond. Lights twinkled and millions of people moved around. How would she find a man bent on anonymity in all of that?

* * * *

      Serene went straight to the Mike Reid’s office the next morning. Rita gave her a sapphire blue pants suit to wear with matching pumps. She told her she needed to look professional and sure of herself. To make the outfit, Rita clasped a faux strand of pearls around her neck that looked just as good as the real thing.

      Serene stepped into the office and looked at the secretary with cold eyes. As far as she was concerned this woman also helped Lawson disappear from her life.

      “May I help you?” Her green eyes regarded Serene just as coolly as she scanned her from head to toe. Serene hoped she looked like money, after all she was money now.

      “I’m here to see Mr. Reid.”

      The dismissive tone was already in the secretary’s voice. “Do you have an appointment?”

      “He’ll know who I am.”

      The green eyes flashed in momentary amusement. Perhaps her words could have been chosen more carefully. This woman had probably heard the exact line from multiple women.

      Serene leaned over the desk and smiled brightly. “Just announce me.”

      “Mr. Reid’s in court.”

      Serene moved her face a few inches closer. “Bull shit.”

      The double doors across the waiting room swung inward and Mike Reid stepped out. Serene raised an eyebrow to the secretary and smirked before standing straight. “Mr. Reid?” Serene said as she extended her hand.

      The man looked like he was cut from the same fabric as some of the mobsters he represented. His grin was the fakest Serene had ever seen, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he was a means to an end; he would lead her to Lawson.

      “You must be Serene Mitchell.” He said and shook her outstretched hand.

      Serene turned just enough to smile sweetly at the fuming secretary. She obviously handled being proved wrong poorly. “Yes, I am.”

      Mike stood to the side and held an arm out towards his office. “Please, come right in.”

      The office was plusher and more extravagant than his waiting area. It was also double in size. There was a conference table in a room adjacent and what looked like a full size bathroom beside it. The main part of his office had a couch, three chairs and his huge desk.

      Serene sat in the high-backed winged leather chair that was directly across from his desk. She pulled the check from her purse and slid it across the dark wood with one push of her finger.

      “Mr. Reid, I…”

      He held up his hand and shook his head. The plastic smile was still there. All he was missing in Serene’s opinion was a gold tooth.

      “Please, call me Mike.”

      She nodded curtly before continuing. “All right,
Mike
, I understand you have some information here for me.”

      “I do.” He held the check between his thumb and forefinger, one on each end and whistled softly. “That is quite a bit of money. You must have been one sweet piece of ass.”

      Serene’s eyes narrowed and she stood, snatching the check from his fingertips. “How well do you know Lawson,
Mike
?”

      He leaned back in his chair and regarded her with interest. She wasn’t what he had expected at all. “I’ve known Lawson for fifteen years. We met right after he finished law school.”

      “Then how dare you assume this is payment for a sweet piece of ass! You have no idea what transpired between us.”

      “True,” He said and leaned forward clasping his hands together over the desk. “But I do know that he initially
bought
you for sexual reasons.”

      Serene took her seat again and daintily crossed her legs. “Yes, he did buy me, but as he put it the sex was secondary to our arrangement.”

      Mike’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? And what was primary?”

      Serene swallowed and covertly blew air slowly through her barely parted lips. “The companionship. He saved my life, and now I want to find him.”

      Mike shook his head. This was also a shocker. He was sure the bimbo would waltz into his office and demand everything that was hers plus some. “I’m sorry, Serene, but that’s impossible.”

      “Why?”

      “He doesn’t want to be found.”

      She knew she would not be able to hold the tears for much longer. Swallowing again, she slid the check back to him. “I have the money; as you can see. I will give you twenty percent if you help me find him.”

      Mike saw the tears welling up in her perfect blue eyes and he felt sorry for her, but a promise is a promise, even amongst thieves.
Wow, the kid is actually in love with him.

      “Look, Hon, we have a lot to look over, so let’s just start there.” He could see the frustration and disappointment in her face. “Lawson wants you to have a new life. He wants you to have a truly
good
life.” Mike pretended to not notice as a tear escaped. She wiped it away quickly. He opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a manila folder.

      “Ok, so the house you stayed in is now yours.” He slid the deed of the house to her, and watched her eyes grow large.

      “What?”

      “Mmmhmm, oh and don’t worry, the unfortunate vandalism is all cleaned up. As a matter of fact, the cleaning and painting crews should be vacated by this afternoon. Taxes have been paid for the year, and will continue to be handled through this office every year. Here are your house keys.”

      Serene watched as he dangled the keys in front of her. It felt like her hand was moving in slow motion as she slowly took them from him.

      “The car you’re driving is now yours. Here is the brand new DMV issued title and registration. Lawson took the liberty of paying the personal property tax on that as well for the year.” He paused just long enough to flash his phony grin. “And of course that yearly bill will be handled here as well.”

      Serene was overcome by all of it. It was like winning the lottery, but the one person she would want to share it with was gone. “What if I refuse all of this?”

      Mike shrugged and looked at her hard. “Then you would be a fool.” He leaned back in his chair again and pinched between his eyes. “Look, take the gifts, take the money, and get on with your life.”

      Serene had had enough. She stood and slapped her palms on the desk in front of him. “
Get on with my life?
Do you have any idea what he pulled me out of?”

      “I know it was bad.” He replied quietly.

      “
Bad?
Try hell! I was so weak, and all I cared about was not having too many ‘dates’ and not getting my face smashed in. I’m still alive because of Lawson! I was literally dying when he found me, and now I’m healthy, groomed, and an actual
lady.
” Serene sat back down heavily. Her posture was slumped and she felt defeated. She closed her eyes for a moment before focusing on Mike again. “When I was a little girl my Daddy would beat me. I dreamed of becoming a fine lady after my prince charming rescued me. It took him a while, but he did finally come.”

      Mike steepled his finger tips and watched the woman carefully place the things he had given her in her handbag. Lawson would die alone and bitter, he knew this, and he didn’t want that for his friend. He would have to choose his words carefully.